Question NW820 to the Minister of Water and Sanitation

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20 April 2016 - NW820

Profile picture: Baker, Ms TE

Baker, Ms TE to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

With reference to the Msunduzi River Sewer Project which is a joint partnership between the Duzi-Umgeni Conservation Trust and the Msunduzi Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, (a) what is the E-coli count of the tests conducted on the river since 1 April 2015, (b) how many incidents of sewerage pollution have been reported over the specified period, (c) what action has been taken against the identified polluters and (d) what remedial action has been taken to deal with the environmental impact of this sewerage pollution in each case?

Reply:

(a) The E. coli counts of the tests conducted on the Msunduzi River between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016 range from 1 313 counts per 100ml to 1 000 000 counts per 100ml.

(b) There were approximately thirteen (13) pollution incidents reported to my Department.

(c) My Department engaged the identified polluters and requested that corrective measures be taken. Based on the severity of the pollution incident, my Department issued the identified polluters with Section 19 non-compliance notices in terms of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998).

(d) The Mvoti to Mzimkulu Classification Study has highlighted the need to improve water quality of the Msunduzi River citing nutrients as a variable requiring improvement. Hotspots contributing to poor water quality in this river system have been identified, and the Msunduzi Municipality together with Duzi-Umgeni Conservation Trust, and my Department engages in monitoring all the identified hotspot areas. There has also been the installation of Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTV) which operate 24 hours to identify surcharging manholes and allow for swift response and corrective action. Water quality monitoring is done on a weekly basis on both downstream and upstream of problematic manholes and pump stations along the Msunduzi River and its tributaries. My Department has also increased the frequency of inspections of hotspot areas.

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